Well, by the time you are reading this we will have had 2 to 5 inches of snow, just to remind us that Mother Nature is full of surprises. At least that's what the weatherman is predicting. The snow won't stick however and once it melts away we will be able to announce spring loud and clear. Daffodils and tulips are pushing up, and crocuses have already turned their faces to the sun. Speaking of tulips, I've been watching a barrel full reaching for the sun and was eagerly anticipating their blossoms. Only to be surprised by some rotten little four footed munchkin who not only nipped them all down to the dirt, but had the nerve to pull a couple of the bulbs clear out and toss them on to the ground! Next year I'll cover the barrel with chicken wire!

Time now to dig in the garden and set up the framework for a greenhouse. I see that the Community Garden magicians have already begun that process; ground has been tilled and a greenhouse is up. Last year's garden was a real success; maybe this year they will have tomatoes in the greenhouse. Applications for this year are at the post office and posted around town.

Our fire department has been awarded a FEMA Grant of $45,300, which will pay for an SCBA (Self Contained Breath Apparatus) air tanks and fill system. This will allow each fire fighter to have a mask and tank filled with breathable oxygen. It will also provide an on site fill system to refill the tanks as needed, rather than taking them into White Salmon as has been done in the past. Our thanks to Commissioner Eula Smith who wrote the grant and applied to FEMA for the award.

Columbia Gorge Transportation Summit will be held on April 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, 501 NE Washington Street in White Salmon. All community planners, advocates, civic leaders, employers and the general public are invited to attend. Workshop themes are: public transit, vanpooling, ridesharing, bicycle and pedestrian issues. The entire agenda may be downloaded at www.mcedd.org/cgtsagenda.htm. Registration deadline is April 9; registration fee is $35 and includes lunch. Contact Linda Williams at 773-6067 for additional information.

Trout Lake Fair is in the planning stages. Dates for the Fair this year are Aug. 6, 7, 8 and the first organizational meeting is Tuesday, April 6, 7 to 8 p.m. in the school library. This year's fair theme, the T-Shirt design and honored citizens will be discussed at the meeting.

Trout Lake grads and post grads, it's time to apply to the TL Community Foundation for scholarships. May 1 is the due date, pick up an application at Coralee Warner's office. The foundation will be dispensing a large amount of funds once again at the June Trout Lake graduation ceremony. Completed forms may be mailed in or dropped off at Coralee's office.

Mount Adams Country Bicycle Tour is Saturday. June 26. Choose your distance and register on line at www.TroutLake.org/BikeTour. Also look for posters around town.

The Presbyterian Church Third Tuesday Supper will be held at the fellowship hall on April 20 at 6 p.m. The program will be provided by Rick McClure of the Forest Service and his topic will be "Sacred Landscapes."